Hurricanes rout Capitals, lose Jesperi Kotkaniemi to injury

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The Carolina Hurricanes gave the Washington Capitals something to think about if the division rivals meet in the playoffs, though it came at the cost of a potentially serious injury in the final seconds.

Martin Necas scored twice, Sebastian Aho added his 29th goal and the Hurricanes routed the Capitals 6-1 on Monday night in a potential first-round preview. Carolina center Jesperi Kotkaniemi put no weight on his left leg after getting injured on a penalized hit by Lars Eller with 1.8 seconds left, and his uncertain status overshadowed a big victory.

"I don’t know the extent, but it’s not good," coach Rod Brind'Amour said during a somber postgame news conference. "He’s injured. I don’t know how bad, but he’s definitely going to be out. The game was over. Let’s just get it over with. Two seconds left. I don’t like it. But nothing you can do about it."

Kotkaniemi's injury could linger long after a game that should have been remembered for Carolina's domination and a heavyweight fight between teammate Brendan Smith and Washington's Tom Wilson.

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Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) celebrates his goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Monday, March 28, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Tensions had been simmering between them since Wilson rocked Vincent Trocheck with a big shoulder-to-chest hit at center ice in the second period, and he wanted to fight Smith early in the third before officials intervened. Wilson and Smith finally dropped the gloves midway through the third, with each landing multiple punches in a bout that fired up a